It's my first time doing non-rev with UAL's companion pass (from a friend who is UAL's employee). The things is, I have a few questions but the certain friend is in the air now so I'm wondering if any UAL employee or people who are familiar with the system can answer a few questions...

I believe I have the Space Available PNR. My questions are...

1. The load status is yellow. less than 25% but greater than 5% authorized space. What are my chances of getting on the flights?

2. When should I arrive at the airport to ensure better chances of getting on the flight?

3. What is a DM Card?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions. It wouldn't be so fun to be stuck in NRT.

Edit: Just realized International flights can't check in on united.com.

Quoting PWMRamper (Reply 1):but as long as the flight isn't overbooked you should be okay...

Just checked the load status. The flight is overbooked in economy. I know buddy pass is lowest priority on standby but there's a total (in C) of 17 open seats after taking out non-revs and possible upgrades of all the overbooked ones in economy. (Crossing my fingers cus I'm party of one!!)

Quoting Foppishbum (Reply 6):Just checked the load status. The flight is overbooked in economy. I know buddy pass is lowest priority on standby but there's a total (in C) of 17 open seats after taking out non-revs and possible upgrades of all the overbooked ones in economy. (Crossing my fingers cus I'm party of one!!)

Getting on oversold flights is not impossible. I have managed it several times this year. Being a party of 1 certainly helps. Of course in my case I travel at the 3rd non-rev priority.

I hope that you appreciate that any employee who gives a friend a buddy pass is taking a leap of faith in the friend. An employee can lose all their travel benefits or face other disciplinary actions if a buddy misbehaves. I'm going to share with you the same lecture I would give my buddies. Realize as a buddy you have pretty much zero status or rights. If there is a cancellation, diversion or you get stranded somewhere you are responsible for your accommodations the airline owes you nothing. Don't pester the agents, give revenue passengers priority over your needs, even if an agent is belligerent or rude to you do not respond with any thing but courtesy. If there is a problem you should move away from the gate or ticket counter and discretely call your friend for help rather than get into an argument with a working employee. If a flight attendant asks you to move to accommodate a revenue passenger you do it without question and with a smile on your face. If they tell you they are all out of meals you smile and say that's ok, revenue pax have priority. Remember at all times your behavior reflects on the employee who gave you the pass.

Lecture over... I've had hit or miss luck traveling on a UAL BP when the flight is listed yellow. When are you actually taking the trip because things can change day off. Also where are you flying out of/to weather is always a problem to consider. It helps to be aware of travel alternatives so that if it looks like closer to departure you aren't going to make it you will be prepared.

I hope it will all go smoothly for you and that you will have a fun trip!

Thanks for the lecture. I have read over the brochure for non-revs over and over again and I understand the rules and courtesy. Of course I appreciate my friend's offering of the buddy pass! I'm not going to embarrass him.

Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 8):I've had hit or miss luck traveling on a UAL BP when the flight is listed yellow. When are you actually taking the trip because things can change day off. Also where are you flying out of/to weather is always a problem to consider. It helps to be aware of travel alternatives so that if it looks like closer to departure you aren't going to make it you will be prepared.

I'll be flying out of LAX (-NRT-TPE) so weather isn't really a problem here and I haven't heard horror stories for NRT and TPE. My main concern is still the load status. I'm not sure how things look as of right now since I don't have any experience traveling non-rev. The flight I'm taking out of LAX is a Tuesday flight (purposely listed on a mid-week flight since the flight had the lightest load and was once "green").

Quoting TheGMan (Reply 7):Getting on oversold flights is not impossible.

Does listing in a different class of service influence the probability of getting on a flight? My friend listed me in C. Should I have listed in Y?

Quoting Foppishbum (Reply 9):Does listing in a different class of service influence the probability of getting on a flight? My friend listed me in C. Should I have listed in Y?

None. Listing in the highest possible class is better.
I know that for US if you list for upper level classes, that means you are ready for the greater restrictions on these (dress code, and a purchased upgrade). If there are no seats there you will automatically be pushed onto the lower class list.

Quoting Foppishbum (Reply 9):I have read over the brochure for non-revs over and over again and I understand the rules and courtesy.

Good you'd be surprised how many do not or forget what they read/were told when things get hairy.

Quoting Foppishbum (Reply 9):Does listing in a different class of service influence the probability of getting on a flight? My friend listed me in C. Should I have listed in Y?

It may have changed since the last time I used a UAL buddy pass but...the answer used to be yes it does influence your chances of getting on the flight. Trying to think of how to explain this.

UAL people correct me if my recollection is wrong....
Ok United fills non-rev seats in order by the cabin they listed for.

So if you have one seat left on the plane and it is in C and 2 people are on the non rev list. Person A is low priority but listed for C and person B is high priority but listed for Y person A gets the seat.

You will get bumped down if they run out of seats in the class you listed for but I'm pretty sure you go below everyone who originally listed for that class even if you have a higher pass priority.

Also, there's the part where if person A is booked for C, and person B for Y, then if they upgrade coach passengers to C, and it fills up, then person A will be moved back to coach and take their proper seniority over (or under) person B.

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

Thanks for the clarification. Frankly, I don't care if I were in C or Y. I just want to get on the plane to Taiwan to see my mother! It has been five and half years since I visited Taiwan and a year and half since I last saw my mother! I think my visiting would be a pleasant Christmas present for her.